Photos: Erin Mackey, Edward Staudenmayer, Christine Toy Johnson, Manna Nichols, CJ Eldred and More in SOUTH PACIFIC at the Guthrie Theater through August 28

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific, adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Tales of the South Pacific by James A. Michener and directed by Joseph Haj, opens tonight at The Guthrie Theater’s Wurtele Thrust Stage. The production began previews on June 18th and will continue through August 28th. Single tickets start at $39, and are now on sale through the Guthrie Box Office at 612.377.2224, toll-free 877.44.STAGE, 612.225.6244 (Group Sales) and online at www.guthrietheater.org. The Guthrie is located at 818 South 2nd Street Minneapolis, MN 55415.

One of the most celebrated musicals in American theater, this Rodgers and Hammerstein classic is a treasure trove of memorable songs from “Bali Hai” to “There is Nothin’ Like a Dame” to “Some Enchanted Evening.” Set on an isolated island during World War II, this sweeping romance tells the story of two couples – a U.S. Navy nurse and a French planter, and a Marine Corps lieutenant and a young local girl – and how their happiness is threatened by the dangers of war and prejudices of their times.

“I am thrilled to be directing my first musical here at the Guthrie,” said Artistic Director Joseph Haj. “Producing South Pacific in 2016 is specifically interesting to me. What Rodgers and Hammerstein were exploring in 1948 was so progressive and brave for its time; addressing racial prejudice, gender roles and topics of war is still completely relevant. I want this production, and the themes it acknowledges, to resonate in a similar fashion with today’s audience. South Pacific is one of the great classics in American musical theater, and I’m excited to bring a major revival to our community.”

Fresh musical talent will be featured onstage for South Pacific. Playing Ensign Nellie Forbush and making her Guthrie debut is Erin Mackey. Mackey’s acting career began when she was cast as Lindsey Lohan’s acting double in Disney’s 1998 film The Parent Trap. From there, she went on to play Glinda in Wicked, both in Chicago and Los Angeles and then on Broadway in 2009. Soon after, she was cast in Broadway’s Sondheim on Sondheim at the Roundabout Theatre Company and followed that up with the role of Hope Halcourt in the revival of Anything Goes. Mackey has also played Nellie Forbush in a production of South Pacific at Paper Mill Playhouse.

The cast of SOUTH PACIFIC. Photo by T. Charles Erickson.

Opposite Mackey is Edward Staudenmayer who will play Emile de Becque. Staudenmayer most recently starred as Lord Evelyn Oakleigh in the National Tour of the Roundabout Theatre Company’s Tony-winning revival of Anything Goes. On Broadway, he appeared as the White Rabbit in Wonderland and played opposite Martin Short in numerous performances in Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me. Staudenmayer also starred in Monty Python’s Spamalot (Sir Galahad, et. al.) at the Wynn Resort in Las Vegas and played Monsieur André in the North American tour of Phantom of the Opera. Staudenmayer makes his Guthrie debut with South Pacific.

Two roles will be shared by members of the children’s ensemble; Ngana will be played by Louisa Darr (Guthrie: debut) and Natalie Tran (Guthrie: The Music Man), and Jerome will be played by Gavihn Lee (Guthrie: debut) and Sander L. Huynh-Weiss (Guthrie: debut).

South Pacific will play through August 28, 2016 on the Wurtele Thrust Stage. Single tickets start at $39 and are on sale through the Guthrie Box Office at 612.377.2224, toll-free 877.44.STAGE, 612.225.6244 (Group Sales) and online at www.guthrietheater.org.

Click here for the Lia Chang Articles Archive and here for the Lia Chang Photography Website.

Lia Chang. Photo by Garth Kravits

Lia Chang is an actor, a multi-media content producer and co-founder of Bev’s Girl Films, making films that foster inclusion and diversity on both sides of the camera. Bev’s Girl Films’ debut short film, Hide and Seek was a top ten film in the Asian American Film Lab’s 2015 72 Hour Shootout Filmmaking Competition, and she received a Best Actress nomination. BGF collaborates with and produces multi-media content for artists, actors, designers, theatrical productions, composers, musicians and corporations. Lia is also an internationally published and exhibited photographer, a multi-platform journalist, and a publicist. Lia has appeared in the filmsWolf, New Jack City, A Kiss Before Dying, King of New York, Big Trouble in Little China, The Last Dragon, Taxman and Hide and Seek. She is profiled in Examiner.com, Jade Magazine and Playbill.com.